Located in central Texas, otherwise known as Texas Hill Country, Austin marches to a different beat from the rest of the state despite being the state capital. Forget the image of Texas you may have in your mind, you won't see tumbleweeds or brown fields in Austin. It is a verdant green paradise surrounded by rolling hills and pristine lakes. Forget too the conservative character and reputation of the rest of Texas, Austin residents seem to be to be closer to New Yorkers and Californians in terms of their progressive ideas.

Known far and wide outside of Texas, Austin's famous Sixth Street is the center of its live music scene. Indeed, Austin is proud to count "Live Music Capital of the World" among its nicknames. The Sixth Street area is home to a plethora of entertainment options, including clubs, bars, tattoo parlors, and everything in between. While typically associated with the young and trendy, Sixth street is a vibrant area attracting people from all walks of life.

A pilgrimage for many Texans and an interesting site for all others, the Texas State Capitol Complex is a magnificent structure. Remodeled in the 1980s, and standing taller than the US Capitol, it is free for all visitors, making it a great budget-friendly way to start or end your visit to Austin. Another popular spot is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, which houses a trove of artifacts and exhibits, ranging from historic documents to a 1/3 scale model of the Lunar module.

Austin is also home to a unique, if somewhat odd phenomena--the largest urban bat colony in North America, a massive horde numbering up to 1.5 million bats, which takes up seasonal residence underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Typically the best month to observe the bats is August. They usually exit from underneath the bridge starting at around 8:30 p.m. and due to their enormous number, this process can last for well over a half hour. Their timing can change though, so be sure to check for further information before you go.